Subaru POV

As I strolled hand in hand with Emilia-tan along the bustling streets of Lagunica's capital, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being a bit self-conscious. Being held this way made me feel somewhat small, and I couldn't help but feel a touch embarrassed. Glancing at Emilia, I noticed a trace of annoyance on her face as she met my gaze.

"Emilia-tan, why are you holding my hand so tightly? I mean, I'm grateful, but it's making me feel like a little kid," I said, attempting to lighten the mood with a gentle chuckle.

Emilia pouted suddenly, closing her eyes while clutching my hand firmly.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT! I know you too well! If I let you go, you'll end up doing something reckless again!" Her voice carried a hint of annoyance, and her pout intensified.

*Flashback, a couple of hours ago*

As we rode through the scenic liafus highway in a luxurious dragon carriage, I couldn't help but revel in the joy of the fresh breeze against my face. The majestic flugel tree in the distance provided a breathtaking view, making this journey even more special.

However, the perfect moment was marred by Emilia-tan and Rem's constant death stares directed at me, thanks to a certain adorable, mischievous Renard girl sitting beside me.

"Master Subaru?" Haruhime said as she settled beside me.

"What's up, Haru-san?" I replied with a smile.

"What's your favorite food, Master Subaru?" she asked in the most endearing manner, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Hmm? I'm not entirely sure... Perhaps dishes from my homeland?" I replied, scratching my head while sensing Emilia's glare again.

"If you'd like, Master Subaru, I can prepare some far eastern dishes for you," Haruhime said in an utterly charming way. Far Eastern food? Wait, what did she mean?

"Oh, really? What kind of dishes are those, Haru-san?" I asked, curious about her suggestion.

"Well, let me think..." Haruhime placed a finger on her adorable face, pondering. "Ah, korokke, soba noodles, and oh, you'd definitely love my tempura!" she said with excitement.

My heart skipped a beat as she mentioned those dishes. Korokke? Soba noodles? Tempura? Those are Japanese foods! How did she know about them?

"Uhh, Haru... when you said korokke, you meant mashed potatoes mixed with sautéed ground beef and onion, right?" I asked hopefully, reminiscing about those delectable treats I hadn't tasted in ages.

"Correct, Master Subaru," she replied, her voice both cute and soft.

"How do you know about these dishes?" I exclaimed, grabbing her hands in excitement. "Please, Haruhime, I'd love to have those!" I added eagerly.

"As you wish, Master Subaru! From now on, Haruhime will cook your food every time!" she promised enthusiastically.

"Tsk!" I heard from the front of the carriage, likely coming from Rem.
I gulped, sensing the tension in the air. I needed to be more careful next time to avoid any conflict.

"Oh my! There's a heavy atmosphere in here!" Roswaal chimed in, teasing me with a knowing look.

Then, I glanced at Emilia, and her expression wasn't a happy one. Not at all.

Under all that pressure, I felt sweat forming on my brow, and the once cool air turned humid. I had to take off my jacket to cool down.

"Hehe, it's getting hot in here," I said, removing my jacket. But then, I noticed Haruhime's reaction.

"...A man..." she uttered, her face in a state of shock.
"Huh? What's wrong, Haru-san?" I asked, concerned about her sudden change in mood.

"A man's... c-collarbone..." she stammered softly before collapsing on the carriage floor.

"Haruhime-san!" I rushed to her side, holding her close to check if she was okay. Once I confirmed she was fine, I cradled her in my arms, caressing her gently as worry filled my heart.

"Subaru..." Emilia began, her voice tinged with a hint of jealousy. "You never held me like that!"

"Huh?"

"Tsk!" Rem chimed in again from the front, her glare as sharp as ever.

*Flashback, ends*

"I'm really sorry about all that, Emilia-tan! It was a complete accident. I had no idea that a man's collarbone could make Haru faint!" I earnestly apologized to Emilia.

"Yet during our 'date' in the village, you were the one desperately wanting to hold hands, so quit complaining," she retorted.

"But this is different," I replied, trying to explain.

"Different how? Different in the sense that now you're forming some kind of... harem, just as Beatrice suggested?" Emilia's pout returned, her suspicion evident.

Oh no, not this topic again. I'm in trouble.

"Wait, Emilia-tan, I wasn't planning that! I uhhhh" I replied, my words stumbling as I struggled to find the right explanation. Unable to come up with a clear response, I stammered while Emilia scrutinized me with suspicion.

"Would you two cut out the flirting already? All that nonsense is gonna drive away my customers," interjected the appa guy as we stood at his store. What a timely intervention!

"Thanks for the save, old man! By the way, I came to make good on my promise!" I said to Kadamon, the appa guy, whom I had once promised to buy an appa from someday.

"I don't know what saying you're talking about, but I appreciate that you felt obligated to shop here now that you're not a broke boy," Kadamon responded as he grabbed a plastic bag and filled it with apples, handing it to me.

"Here you go! The appas you ordered," he said with a wink. "Keep it smooth, kiddo," he added with a playful tone.

"Huh?" I replied, puzzled by the hidden meaning behind his words.

As we continued our stroll through the bustling merchant district of the capital city, I turned my attention to the next order of business.

"Alright, with that settled... Next up! The tiny kid, Felt, and Old Man Rom," I informed Emilia.

"I thought we had wrapped everything up rather neatly without any issues the first time. But then, right at the end, Reinhard's expression turned dark, and he took the girl away," Emilia explained, her tone cute and innocent.

"When you put it that way, it sounds like kidnapping, or an abduction and confinement... Hot guys really have it good," I grimaced, feeling a touch insecure about the handsome and strong red-haired knight.

"If you want to contact Reinhard, we should try the guard station in front of the noble district," Emilia suggested, looking at me with an adorable expression.

As we arrived at the noble district, I couldn't help but be amused by the surroundings. The district was walled off, with four archways at the entrance, two for dragon carriages and two for pedestrians.

After going through a lengthy checkpoint and Emilia introducing herself to the knights, we were allowed entry without any issues. The guard station we were looking for wasn't far, so we made our way there.

"Emilia-tan, do we really have to do this now? I could just thank Reinhard later when I see him, and I'm sure he's busy. Besides, the royal selection is tomorrow, right? I wanted to talk to you about-" I started to say.

"Don't start, Subaru!" Emilia cut me off before I could even finish my sentence. "We discussed this thoroughly before going on this trip together, and I thought you understood. I brought you out here to fulfill your promises and to get you healed. The royal selection is none of your business," she said with a pout and a blush on her face.

"Oh, Lady Emilia! Good to see you again," suddenly, a purple-haired knight with a pompous attitude and a handsome face appeared out of nowhere.

"I hope you've been well since we last met?" he greeted Emilia with a courteous bow.

"Yes, everything's fine. And you also seem well, Julius," Emilia replied with an innocent and cute voice.

"The mere fact that you remember me is an honor. And I must say, you have only grown more beautiful, Lady Emilia," the pompous knight praised, which made my blood boil. Is this guy flirting with my Emilia-tan?

"Huh?" I whispered in shock as I witnessed the scene.

The handsome pompous knight suddenly went down on one knee... and kissed Emilia-tan's hand?! Grrr! How dare he flirt with one of my girls! This jerk!

I had to hold back my anger and frustration, not wanting to cause a scene. But the audacity of this guy infuriated me.

"Forgive me for asking so abruptly, but I have business here, and I'd like you to act as my agent while I'm in the castle," Emilia responded.

"Is that so? Does your business involve this young man?" the pompous purple-haired knight said, pointing at me. "Heh. His attitude is ill-matched with his attire. That's no way to conduct yourself before one you've just met," he added, provoking me further.

"Oh yeah? Well, I have a warning for you! You-" I began, but Emilia cut me off.

"Subaru! What did I tell you a while ago?" Emilia scolded me, preventing me from engaging in another spat.

"I know..." I replied, feeling dejected.

"With that settled, now allow me to show you to the conference mirrors," the purple-haired guy then walked off.

"Subaru, wait here... and be a good boy, alright?" Emilia said, her tone a mix of concern and instruction.

"Yes, I know," I said, feeling even more dejected.

As the two left, I found a bench to sit on, still holding the appa bag. I couldn't help but feel down and upset.

"Damn, I must look so pathetic right now," I muttered to myself as I slumped on the bench.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a beautiful girl with long red-blonde hair that shone radiantly like the sun. She seemed to be engaged in an argument, but she looked confident and strong.

Suddenly, she was grabbed in an alley. Wait, right in front of the guard station?

Feeling a mix of curiosity and concern, I decided to follow where the girl had vanished. As I approached, I couldn't help but be struck by her presence.

Her crimson eyes shone with determination, revealing her strong will and commanding nature. Her pale, flawless skin and slightly pink lips enhanced her true divine beauty. But what truly amazed me was the air of overconfidence and invincibility that surrounded her.

It was like she had an invisible shield, exuding a sense of absolute assurance that nothing could faze her. Even in the face of three attackers, she seemed completely in control.

Despite the urge to help, I hesitated. I already had enough girl problems in my life with Emilia, Rem, and Haru. Do I really want to add another one?

Moreover, I learned in this world that people who appeared nice and weak but confident often possessed terrifying power. I figured that the blonde girl could take care of herself against those stooges.

So, I made the decision to walk away.

"It ain't my problem!" I said to myself as I returned to the bench where I had been sitting.

It wasn't long before I heard a loud fiery explosion, and the three stooges, Ton, Chin, and Kan, were sent flying out of the alley and onto the ground, knocked out and unconscious.

"See, I was right," I mumbled again, feeling a mix of sadness and frustration as I slumped on the bench.

However, in an unexpected moment, her gaze shifted towards me, and she winked.

"Oh no, no way! I don't need more complications and drama!" I thought to myself, quickly looking away to avoid any further interaction.

"Should we head out now, Subaru?" Emilia's voice broke me out of my thoughts as she suddenly appeared in front of me.

"You bet! I'm starving," I replied with enthusiasm, eager to leave the noble district and explore the lively city center.

As we walked side by side through the city, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. The day had been eventful, and Emilia's comforting presence had eased some of my worries. However, there was still a lingering doubt in the back of my mind.

"Everything is going to be A-Okay, right?... RIGHT?" I thought to myself, trying to reassure myself that things would work out in the end.

As night fell upon the capital, and the city slumbered, our inn suite remained abuzz with life. Emilia and I engaged in a spirited discussion, with Rem and Haruhime observing the exchange from the sidelines.

"What? I have to stay here tomorrow?!" I exclaimed, finding it hard to believe what I was hearing.

"Yes, of course, you do. That was our agreement from the very beginning," Emilia replied firmly.

"Well, that was the plan, but we never got in touch with Reinhard, right?" I said, trying to come up with excuses. Maybe it could work, right? "If we go to the castle together tomorrow, we might run into him," I added optimistically.

"There's no need. I'll be sure to ask about Felt," she shot down my excuse right away. I guess that won't fly.

"I really think I should go in person too—" I attempted once more, but she wasn't having any of it.

"This is the reason I can't take you with me," Emilia said with a stern face.

"If I allow you to do so, you'll just push yourself too hard again. I don't want to let you do that. Understand?" She then closed the distance between us, gently caressing my face, which both surprised me and made me blush.

"Uhh, Emilia-tan! I hear what you're saying, but you're the one who doesn't understand! If I have to push myself to help you, then I'll do it without a second thought," I said, firing another excuse. I've gotta at least try, right?

"Absolutely not. Until your body fully heals, there is to be no using magic or pushing yourself! I want you to promise, okay?" she said with the tenderness of a caring mother, still caressing my face.

"Okay, you win. I promise you. I won't use magic. But please let me—" I attempted another excuse one last time.

"I can't bring an outsider into this. So please, just wait here with Rem and Haruhime, alright? Until it's over," she finally stated, effectively putting an end to my excuses.

"I'm asking you, Subaru. Give me a reason to trust you," she said once more, her voice now serene and sweet.

"Alright, I promise," I replied.

Then, suddenly, she kissed my cheeks, causing me to blush even more.

"Be good, alright?" she said with affection in her voice.


As the night wore on, I found myself sitting on the bed in my room, with my face pressed into Rem's bosom while Felix worked on healing my gate. This was our second session, and he had arrived before bedtime.

"Subaru-kyun! Stay still! Otherwise, it will take forever, nya!" said the catboy as he continued his healing work on my gate.

Muffled noises came from me as my face was buried in Rem's bosom.

"Subaru-kun! Just relax, alright? Rem will give you a relaxing and happy massage later," teased Rem, playfully pressing my face against her bosom.

"Wah! Wah! Wah! Miss Rem is so lewd!" I then heard Haruhime's voice from the side of the room, seemingly surprised by the scene.

After a couple more minutes, the healing session was finally done. Felix sat on the bed, while Rem and Haruhime sat on the other side.
"Are you excited for tomorrow, Subaru-kyun? Tomorrow will be the official start of the Selection! Good luck, nya!" Felix spoke with a feminine smile.

"Uh, no," I replied, looking down at the floor.

"Why? Won't you join your Mistress, nya?" Felix asked.

"Uhh, no... Emilia... didn't allow me to go," I simply said, my tone laden with sadness.

"Are you okay with that, Subaru-kyun?" Felix inquired, gazing at me intently, trying to discern my emotions.

"Honestly? No," I replied, feeling dejected.

"Well, if that's the case... Why don't you go with me, Subaru-kyun?" Felix said with a wink.

"Wait... You'll do that?!" I asked, surprised by the suggestion.


As Felix left the room and our suite, I lay in my bed, feeling nice and comfy, and strangely uplifted. At least now I have someone who understands me and is willing to help! I know Emilia would be angry, but deep down, I believe she'll understand.

"Subaru-kun is planning on disobeying Lady Emilia's word, huh?" Rem suddenly appeared, wearing a nightgown after finishing her bath, all ready for bed. Oh, she smells so nice.

"You know the answer to that, Rem," I said to her, with a smile.

"You know Lady Emilia would get angry, Subaru-kun," she said once more.

"I know, Rem, but there are those in the capital who consider Emilia an enemy. That's exactly why I have to stay close to her," I explained with a confident tone, which made her smile.

Then I looked at her with intense eyes, like that of a puppy.

Stare

"Subaru-kun doesn't need to worry about Rem. Rem understands... however, Subaru-kun needs to give something to Rem in return," she said sweetly.

"Huh? What is that, Rem?" I replied, curious about what she wanted.
Suddenly, she closed the gap between us and lay down beside me on the bed. Damn!

"Let Rem sleep with you, Subaru-kun," she said with the sweetest smile she could probably give.

"Rem..." I simply said, blushing at her actions. Damn, she's now acting like my girlfriend.

"Master Subaru..." I then heard from the door. Huh? That's Haruhime.

"Haru... What are you doing?" I asked her nervously.

"I just finished taking a bath, Master Subaru. I'm about to sleep now," she replied as she entered the room, wearing a white bathrobe.

"Oh, is that so?" I asked her.

"... Master Subaru?" she asked once more, her face blushing.

"...Can I sleep with you also?" said Haruhime, her face still blushing, as she closed the distance to my bed. I heard a growl from Rem.

I wanted to deny her request and tell her it was not appropriate, but the way she looked at me was so lovely. With her cute eyes and fluffy tail, it was impossible to resist her.

"...Sure," I simply said.

After saying that, she went to the left side of my bed and lay down. Suddenly, she embraced me, wrapping her legs and arms around my body.

"Grrrrr!" said Rem, clearly pissed. In response, she copied Haruhime and also wrapped her body around mine.

As I looked at both Rem and Haruhime's faces, I could see Rem scowling at first.

Then, as I shifted my gaze to Haruhime, her expression was one of determination, a fierce look on her face. However, when I looked back at Rem, her gaze softened, and she... smiled?

"As long as Rem is 2nd, it's okay. You could be third," Rem said to Haruhime.

"That's okay with me, Miss Rem," Haruhime replied.

Huh? What do they mean? What kind of girl talk is this? Confused, I asked Rem.

"Rem... what do you mean by second and third?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity.

"Shhh, it's now late, Subaru-kun! Let's sleep," Rem responded, closing my eyes with her fingers.

Suddenly, she pressed her bosom against the right side of my face, and Haruhime followed suit, pressing her own bosom against the left side of my face... What the...

With me basically sandwiched between two beautiful women and my senses overloaded, I did the best I could in the situation.

I slept! And sleep I did, besides the comfort of two beautiful girls.


"Wakey-wakey, Subaru-Kun!" Rem's cheerful voice filled the room, pulling me from my slumber.

As I slowly opened my eyes to the soft morning light, there stood Rem, donning her maid outfit, with a glass of apple juice in hand.

"Here you go, Subaru-kun. Rem made this apple juice Herself. It should give Subaru-kun a great start to the day," she said, extending the glass toward me.

I accepted the glass and took a refreshing sip, feeling grateful for her kind gesture. Rem then directed my attention to the other bed, where my clothes were neatly laid out.

"Your clothes are ready, Subaru-kun. I made sure they're all clean and ironed," she said, her caring eyes radiating warmth.

"Thanks, Rem. You always take care of me so well," I replied, appreciating her thoughtfulness.

"Of course, Subaru-kun. It's my pleasure," she responded with a gentle smile, almost sounding like a doting wife.

"You should take a bath soon, Subaru-kun. Haruhime-san is making breakfast, and after you're done, she should be finished," Rem informed me, her voice filled with warmth and affection.

"Uh... thanks, Rem," I replied, feeling a mixture of surprise and gratitude for her motherly care.

After Rem left, I headed to the bathroom for a quick shower, feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the day ahead. Once I finished, I dressed in the butler outfit Rem had prepared, feeling grateful for her considerate gestures.

As I stepped outside the room, a mouthwatering aroma enveloped me, and a sense of familiarity washed over me. Could it be...?

"Master Subaru, breakfast is ready! I made you my special dish," Haruhime announced with a beaming smile, guiding me toward the inviting dining table.

My heart skipped a beat as I saw the spread before me - Miso soup, Omurice, Tamagoyaki, and korokke. These were dishes from my homeland, Earth! I was taken aback, not expecting to find such comforting flavors in this unfamiliar world.

"Wait, this is..." I stammered, my astonishment evident.

Haruhime's joyful expression confirmed my suspicions, and she playfully swayed her tails left and right, teasingly confirming her culinary feat.

"Indeed, Master Subaru. your favorite dishes, just as I promised," she said, her tails adding a touch of whimsy to the moment.

Before I could fully grasp the situation, Rem joined us at the table, sitting next to me. Haruhime took her place on the other side, completing our unexpected trio.

With my fork in hand, I eagerly began to eat, and my eyes widened in astonishment.

"This... this is... Haru, can I ask you again where you're from?" I inquired, hoping her memory might provide more answers.

"My memory is still not clear, Master Subaru, but all I can remember is I come from a country called the Far East," she responded, her demeanor adorable and gentle as she continued to eat gracefully.

The mention of the Far East triggered a thought, but I quickly dismissed it. Japan couldn't possibly have Demihumans, right?

"Oh, I see," I simply remarked, choosing not to dwell on the mystery and instead focused on relishing the delicious Japanese food until I was full.


"Rem... Haru... do you think you two might be going a little overboard?" I asked the two, watching as they fussed over my appearance like a caring mother getting her son ready for school.

"Subaru-kun, Rem just wants you to look incredibly attractive and handsome," Rem replied with affection in her voice.

"Miss Rem is right, Master Subaru. You should look your best for the selection later," Haruhime chimed in sweetly.
After a few more minutes of their doting, they finally finished.

"Alright, how do I look?" I inquired with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"Scrumptious," Rem exclaimed.

"Princely," Haruhime added.

"Hey, no need to be so direct! You're embarrassing me," I blushed, feeling a little overwhelmed by their enthusiastic praise.

"Subaru-kun, you should hurry before Emilia-sama wakes up. Have fun!" Rem said, her warmth evident as she planted a kiss on my cheeks.

"Emilia-sama did the same last night, so Rem wanted to do it too," she said without holding back.

"Take care, Master Subaru," Haruhime softly spoke, her cheeks turning red like a ripe tomato. I knew she also wanted to kiss me, but her shyness held her back.

Determined to show her affection, I closed the gap between us and kissed the Renard on the cheek.

"Ah!" she gasped, clearly taken by surprise.

"Take care, Haru," I said with a gentle smile.

"Hmph! What about Rem's kiss?" Rem pouted playfully.

I leaned in and kissed the adorable Oni, making her giggle with joy.

"Okay, I really have to go now!"

With that, I hurriedly dashed to the door of our suite and made my way downstairs, hoping to avoid Emilia waking up and finding out about my plans. Her anger was something I wished to avoid.

As I stepped out of the inn, my heart filled with excitement and anticipation as I strolled towards the entrance of the noble district, the place where Felix and I had agreed to meet.

"Damn, where is that catboy?" I muttered, feeling a mix of impatience and eagerness as I took a seat on a nearby bench.


"Munch, munch." I heard a sound and suddenly felt a nibble on my ear, a sensation that startled me awake.

"Whoa! What the heck!" I exclaimed, my heart pounding from the surprise. As I glanced around, my eyes met Felix's. Oh, it's just him.

"I just woke you up, Subaru-kyun! Come on, let's go," he said, gesturing toward his dragon carriage parked beside the road.

"Hey! I've been waiting here for at least two hours," I retorted as I got up from the ground.

"Not my fault, Subaru-kyun! I said exactly 9 am," he replied with a playful grin.

"Oh yeah..." I mumbled, remembering that I had rushed here early to avoid Emilia. "Well, whatever. Let's get going," I added, heading towards the dragon carriage.

As I climbed aboard, I noticed the presence of the romantic butler Wilhelm and a girl I didn't recognize. She had stunning green hair and golden eyes, donning a military uniform—quite an intriguing sight.

Despite my curiosity, I decided to keep quiet. After all, they say less talk means fewer mistakes. With Felix joining me in the dragon carriage, it roared to life, a clear indication that we were now on our way to our destination—the Lagunican Royal Castle.

As our journey continued, an uncomfortable feeling settled in my chest. The green-haired girl, Crusch-sama, kept her eyes fixed on me, studying my every move and expression, and her intense gaze felt like it could see right through me.

"Uhh, hi," I managed to say, trying to maintain a friendly smile, hoping I didn't come across as awkward.

"Oh, Subaru-kyun! This is my mistress, the dutchess Crusch-sama! Crusch-sama, this is the guy I was talking about, Natsuki Subaru-kyun," Felix introduced us.

"Uhh, hi Crusch, nice meeting you," I replied, my voice still tinged with awkwardness.

"Likewise," she responded simply.

"Hehehehe," I forced a half-hearted laugh, feeling increasingly tense in this peculiar situation.

"Mister Natsuki... I've heard a lot of things about you. Interesting things," Crusch said, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, really? I didn't know I was that talked about," I replied, genuinely surprised.

"Ferris and Wilhelm stated that you have an extreme sense of determination and loyalty," she asked, seeking more insight into my character.

"Really? What else did they say?" I inquired, curious to know their opinions about me.

"They also say you are quite popular among women," she revealed, shocking me with her statement. "Is it true, mister Natsuku? Are you a womanizer?" Added the Dutchess, her face very stern

"Hey, that's not true!" I replied immediately, feeling a bit flustered.

"... You're lying," she stated calmly, her eyes closing.

"Huh?" I blinked, taken aback by her straightforward observation. I could feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment, unsure how to respond to her.

"Crusch-sama has the ability to determine if a person is lying, Subaru-kyun, and by the looks of it, you are lying, nya!" Felix chimed in with a smug expression on his face.

"Huh?" I replied, shocked by his revelation. "I mean, truthfully, I'm not even trying. I swear!" I quickly reasoned, not wanting to damage my reputation in front of the Duchess.

Upon hearing my explanation, Crusch-sama nodded, as if she had sensed that I was telling the truth. What a truly formidable skill she possessed.

"Heh, I mean, not to brag, but I'm kind of a casanova back at home!" I said, trying to sound confident and divert the conversation.
"The wind of untruth is blowing from you, Mister Natsuki," the Duchess said once more, her voice unimpressed.

"Damn..." I replied, feeling ashamed that my attempt to boast had backfired. Amid my embarrassment, I noticed Wilhelm trying to hold back his laughter. Who would have thought that the old man had such a knack for jokes? I couldn't help but smile, even though I was the subject of their amusement.

It didn't take long before the carriage came to a stop. Looking outside, I was greeted with the sight of the majestic and splendid Lagunican Royal Castle. The sheer size of the building left me in awe.

Eager to continue the adventure, I left the carriage swiftly and waited by the door. As Crusch prepared to step out, I instinctively held out my hand like a true gentleman, offering to assist her.

"Ma'am," I said with a respectful tone, gesturing for her to take my hand.

"Are you trying to flirt with me, Mr. Natsuki?" Crusch questioned, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Huh? Eh! Wait, I wasn't trying to! I was just trying to be a gentleman, that's all," I quickly explained, feeling a little flustered by her assumption.

"Nya! Subaru-kyun is trying to expand his harem! What a scum nya!" Felix playfully accused, wagging his finger at me, while Wilhelm couldn't help but laugh in the corner.

"Gentleman, huh?" Crusch remarked, and to my surprise, she took my hand, allowing me to assist her as she gracefully stepped out of the carriage.

The grandeur of the Lagunican Royal Castle surrounded us, evoking a mixture of nervousness and excitement within me. As we ventured deeper into the castle, I reminded myself to be cautious and avoid any embarrassing scenes that could reflect poorly on Emilia-tan and me.

Crusch led the way, with Felix, Wilhelm, and me following closely behind. The corridors were adorned with intricate artwork and lavish decorations, showcasing the kingdom's rich history and culture.

"Damn, this all looks so European," I whispered to myself, admiring the architecture that seemed to blend German and Polish Renaissance styles.

Finally, we reached a large door, guarded by four royal knights. This had to be it—the throne room.

"Crusch-sama, please this way," the guard said, opening the gate for us to enter. As we stepped inside, I could clearly see the grandeur of the throne room. At the far front, a fierce-looking blonde girl caught my attention, and right beside her, my heart skipped a beat.

"Emilia-tan," I said, surprised to see her there. I had thought I would arrive before her, but it seemed I was mistaken.

"Felix, you guys go ahead. I'll just use the restroom," I excused myself, hoping to get a moment alone.

"Okay! Have fun, Subaru-kyun! But don't wander too much, nya, or you might get lost, hihihi," Felix playfully warned me, to which I nodded, determined to keep a low profile.

I slipped into the gathering crowds of well-dressed individuals, most likely nobles, who had gathered on the sides of the great hall.

I did my best to hide from Roswaal and Emilia-tan, not wanting to draw their attention to myself just as the royal selection was about to commence.

As the event began, I observed from a distance, my heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety.


Rem POV

The midday sun had already arrived, and Emilia-Sama had left for the royal castle, leaving only Haruhime and Rem in the inn. Meanwhile, Rem's hero was away, and both Haruhime and I supported him in his endeavor.

At first, I must admit, Rem had harbored some resentment towards the foxgirl. Rem felt like Haruhime was stealing her hero away. But over time, Rem came to accept that no matter what she did, Haruhime had grown on Subaru-kun.

We eventually made a pact - she could be third in Subaru-kun's heart as long as Rem held the second place, while Lady Emilia remained the first.

Besides, the Renard was genuinely kind-hearted, making it hard for Rem to hate her.

"Haruhime, why don't we go to the market and do some shopping? Rem wants to buy a dress in the garment district. I'll buy one for you too," I said to her, walking into the living room and finding the Renard gazing out of the window, her face filled with a mix of emotions, her tail swaying gently.

As I approached her, I noticed that her expression held a hint of worry.
"What's the matter?" I asked, concerned.

"Miss Rem... Master Subaru... I feel he's in danger," the Renard spoke, her voice soft and filled with apprehension.

"What?! What happened to Subaru-kun?!" I replied, my voice becoming louder, my heart now filled with dread.

"What?! What happened to Subaru-kun?!" My voice involuntarily rose in pitch, and a sense of dread gripped my heart.

"I don't know, Miss Rem. But deep in my heart, I sense that... he will be in danger," she replied, her words carrying a heavy weight that impelled me to take action.

Haruhime turned to meet my gaze, her eyes intense and filled with urgency. "We have to find him, Miss Rem!"

A surge of fear and determination washed over me as I grasped the gravity of the situation. Without a moment's hesitation, I firmly nodded my agreement.


(TO BE CONTINUED)